Transition metal-catalyzed reactions play a key role in many transformations of synthetic organic chemistry. For most of these reactions, noble metals, for example, palladium, have been used as catalysts. Over the last two decades, more and more first row transition metals have been applied as catalysts for organic reactions, with iron taking the center stage. The driving forces behind this development are not only the high costs for the noble metals but also their toxicity. Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the Earth's crust, and thus, it is considerably cheaper than the precious noble metals. Moreover, iron compounds are involved in many biological processes, and thus, iron exhibits a low toxicity. Because of this low toxicity, iron-catalyzed reactions are important for an environmentally benign sustainable chemistry. However, iron catalysts are not only investigated to replace noble metals; they offer many applications in synthesis beyond those of classical noble metal catalysts. Several articles of the present book emphasize the complementarity of iron-catalyzed reactions as compared to reactions catalyzed by noble metals. The book shows intriguing recent developments and the current standing of iron-catalyzed reactions as well as applications to organic synthesis.

Iron Catalysis: Design and Applications is an exciting new book that takes readers inside the world of iron catalysis guided by international catalysis expert, Dr Jose M Palomo. Iron is the most abundant metal in the planet, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, with an easily manipulated remediation process. In the last few years the use of this nonprecious metal has gained extraordinary attention particularly for its potential as a catalyst in different areas. This book compiles a series of chapters describing the most significant advances in the last few years since the design of different iron catalysts and nanocatalysts and iron-containing artificial and natural enzymes. The chapters also cover its application in different areas of interest such as organic synthesis, environmental remediation, enzyme-like activities or the creation of novel types of electrodes for battery design.

The series Topics in Organometallic Chemistry presents critical overviews of research results in organometallic chemistry. As our understanding of organometallic structure, properties and mechanisms increases, new ways are opened for the design of organometallic compounds and reactions tailored to the needs of such diverse areas as organic synthesis, medical research, biology and materials science. Thus the scope of coverage includes a broad range of topics of pure and applied organometallic chemistry, where new breakthroughs are being achieved that are of significance to a larger scientific audience. The individual volumes of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry are thematic. Review articles are generally invited by the volume editors.

This first comprehensive book to cover this exciting field also deals with the biological aspects, such as enzymes with iron. Following an introduction, this handy reference and handbook goes on to deal with reductions, oxidations of C, H- and C=C bonds, oxidative allylic oxygenation and amination, the oxidation of heteroatoms, cross coupling reactions, aromatic and nucleophilic substitutions, addition to carbonyl compounds, and cyclisations as well as ring opening reactions. The chapters are clearly classified according to the reaction type, allowing readers to quickly locate the desired information.

Juan I. Padrón and Víctor S. Martín: Catalysis by means of Fe-based Lewis acids; Hiroshi Nakazawa*, Masumi Itazaki: Fe–H Complexes in Catalysis; Kristin Schröder, Kathrin Junge, Bianca Bitterlich, and Matthias Beller: Fe-catalyzed Oxidation Reactions of Olefins, Alkanes and Alcohols: Involvement of Oxo- and Peroxo Complexes; Chi-Ming Che, Cong-Ying Zhou, Ella Lai-Ming Wong: Catalysis by Fe=X Complexes (X=NR, CR2); René Peters, Daniel F. Fischer and Sascha Jautze: Ferrocene and Half Sandwich Complexes as Catalysts with Iron Participation; Markus Jegelka, Bernd Plietker: Catalysis by Means of Complex Ferrates.

The subject of dioxygen activation and homogeneous catalytic oxidation by metal complexes has been in the focus of attention over the last 20 years. The widespread interest is illustrated by its recurring presence among the sessions and subject areas of important international conferences on various aspects of bioinorganic and coordination chemistry as well as catalysis. The most prominent examples are ICCC, ICBIC, EUROBIC, ISHC, and of course the ADHOC series of meetings focusing on the subject itself. Similarly, the number of original and review papers devoted to various aspects of dioxygen activation are on the rise. This trend is due obviously to the relevance of catalytic oxidation to biological processes such as dioxygen transport, and the action of oxygenase and oxidase enzymes related to metabolism. The structural and functional modeling of metalloenzymes, particularly of those containing iron and copper, by means of low-molecular complexes of iron, copper, ruthenium, cobalt, manganese, etc., have provided a wealth of indirect information helping to understand how the active centers of metalloenzymes may operate. The knowledge gained from the study of metalloenzyme models is also applicable in the design of transition metal complexes as catalytsts for specific reactions. This approach has come to be known as biomimetic or bioinspired catalysis and continues to be a fruitful and expanding area of research.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.